Yao's confirmation faces hard fight

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) is expected to unveil his nominees for Examination Yuan leadership posts, two Grand Justices and four Control Yuan members today, according to Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平).

Wang, who spoke to Chen on Sunday, has confirmed that senior presidential adviser Yao Chia-wen (姚嘉文) will be appointed to the helm of the Examination Yuan, with former interior minister Chang Po-ya (張博雅) serving as his deputy.

The speaker predicted that some candidates would have difficulty winning approval from the politically divided legislature, where opposition lawmakers have cast doubt over Yao's qualifications.

The DPP's legislative caucus, which has been asked to help reduce any potential resistance, portrayed the task as an uphill struggle, as the ruling party controls only 69 seats in the 225-seat Legislative Yuan. All 27 nominees must obtain majority consent from the legislature before taking office.

In an interview with reporters, Wang said the Presidential Office would turn over the list of candidates for approval today.

The KMT heavyweight denied being urged to "grease the wheels" during the confirmation process, which he added would take place on May 31 at the earliest.

The speaker said he would seek a resumption of cross-party talks that have been on hold for weeks. Legislative leaders from the KMT and the PFP have refused to sit at the negotiating table in protest against the failure of certain Cabinet officials to answer legislative inquiries.

Wang, who just returned from a trip to the nation's Latin American allies on Chen's behalf, forecast that Yao would be given a rough ride and that as a speaker, he would remain neutral on the matter.

Yao was a DPP chairman and a legislator before taking up his present post as a senior adviser to the president.

The 64-year-old was jailed for six years in 1979 for taking part in the pro-democracy movement.

Before the party altered its charter to say that when the DPP is in power, the head of state would be its chairman, Yao indicated an interest in the DPP chairmanship.

PFP legislative whip Chin Huei-chu (秦慧珠) said that many of her colleagues find Yao unacceptable, given his deep involvement in partisan and pro-independence activities.

She argued that the Examination Yuan, which is responsible for the civil service and all examination-related matters, should be run by someone without strong political ties.

Fellow PGP lawmaker Diane Lee (李慶安) agreed and estimated that Chang, on the other hand, would sail through confirmation hearings, as the former interior minister has no political affiliations.

"It appears to me that Yao is not the best candidate available, considering his professional training and personal character," she said, adding that the PFP caucus expects to again join forces with the main opposition KMT on the matter.

Yao earned a master's degree in law from National Taiwan University. Since reports of his nomination came to light, there have been allegations that he has been involved in an extramarital relationship.

Yesterday, his lawmaker wife, Chou Ching-yu (周清玉), dismissed the rumor as groundless. She maintained that Yao is both a devoted husband and a politician with vision.

Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘), DPP caucus convener, said it would be a difficult job for him to remove resistance, noting that even its ally, the TSU, has refused to pledge unequivocal support.